IN the LCFA Challenge Cup, the County Combination had a good first round day.

South Sefton Borough defeated the Lancashire Amateur Cup hold-ers and West Cheshire League opponents, Merseyside Police, by a solitary John Maguire goal.

South Liverpool retained their unbeaten record with a narrow 2-1 win over Skelmersdale United reserves, the North West Counties League reserve division champions, with goals from Colin Mee and Paul McInerney.

The local battle between Cheshire Lines and Aigburth People's Hall broke a local record with APH winning 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time.

The League champions, Waterloo Dock, took an early grip on the league title race with two wins in the last week, ensuring that they sit on the top of the table with a three-point cushion.

Both wins were a close run thing though; at Cheshire Lines, a tremendous shot by Mick Moore ensured a 3-2 win after their opponents had equalised in the last minute.

At home to Birchfield, their nearest challengers held a 1-0 lead through Chris Hart before the Dock hit back in the last 10 minutes with goals from Adam Williams, his 13th of the season, and Tony Smith.